Siaya: Siaya County is ready for multi-billion-shilling investments that are expected to trickle in following the International Trade and Investments conference that kicked off Tuesday, the chairman of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Victor Nyagaya has said.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nyagaya, who is also the chairman of the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO), mentioned that several investors have already shown interest in the fields of green energy, agriculture, and the production of biodegradable sanitary towels.
Speaking during a media briefing session at the Siaya National Polytechnic, which is hosting the four-day event, Nyagaya revealed that a potential investor has shown interest in setting up floating solar panels in Lake Kanyaboli. He emphasized that this would be a pioneering project in Kenya, positioning Siaya as a leader in generating power from solar panels on water.
Furthermore, an investor from Ethiopia has expressed a desire to collaborate with the county gover
nment to support menstrual hygiene by producing 100% biodegradable sanitary towels in Siaya. Nyagaya highlighted that Siaya is a region with untapped investment opportunities, unlike other counties.
Addressing the occasion, the County’s Executive Committee Member for Cooperative Enterprise and Industrialisation, Grace Agola, noted that Siaya currently generates just one percent of the country’s GDP. She affirmed that the county administration, under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, is committed to reversing this trend to boost Siaya’s contribution within the next two years.
The CECM for Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock, and Blue Economy, Sylvester Kokoth, emphasized the county’s vast potential in the blue economy, with 1,005 square kilometers of water bodies, including Lake Victoria and Lake Kanyaboli. He pointed out that the county was investing in maritime logistics, aquaculture, tourism, and sport fishing.
President William Ruto is expected to officially open the conference on Thursday.